Microsoft Researcher Gives Props to Apple for its Knowledge of Design History

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Microsoft Researcher Gives Props to Apple for its Knowledge of Design History

Microsoft's Bill Buxton says that innovative gadget design arises out of difficult economic climates, and that companies that are best prepared to succeed are those who know their history.

But in a surprise example for a rival, he proposes that Apple is precisely that type of company and that others (presumably even Microsoft), should emulate them.

In a letter published by BusinessWeek.com, Microsoft Research's Principal Scientist suggests it's no mistake that the golden era of American industrial design happened between 1927 and 1929, on the verge of the Great Depression. Tough economic times, he says, have a habit of bringing out the best designs from the most talented individuals: "Firms employed these folks because they brought real value. It was about survival, not visual lollipops."

Buxton says that Apple's adoption of one of Dorwin Teague's designs from his time at Kodak shows the current tech leader's ability to adapt to fluid conditions by keeping history at hand as well as an open mind.

In 1926, Dorwin Teague updated Kodak's popular Vanity Kodak camera by releasing it in five different colors, and each camera even came in its own box that matched the specific color.

Sound familiar? Apple's Johnathan Ive essentially did the same thing in 2003 when he designed the first-generation iPod Minis in five different colors. The design change expanded his company's market share and made the pods more irresistable than ever.

He concludes that Ive's adoption of the Kodak design strategy shows an admirable ability to learn from history, and "adopt, adapt, and assimilate past success to current context."